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City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Furniture, Overmantel carved wood c1900, c1900
Early fireplaces were very wide and deep, which allowed for multiple pots to be cooking simultaneously, but also caused a lot of heat loss As the hub of the house, a burning hearth provided heat, housed the fire for cooking and baking, and served as the nucleus of family gatherings. As the Victorian age progressed, fireplaces became more ornate, with overmantels and columns.This elaborately carved wood overmantel was used in the family home of Mrs Brailly in Moorabbin Shire c1900This ornately carved wood overmantel cupboard is an example of the furnishings early settlers used to make their houses attractivec1900An elaborately carved wood overmantel c1900mantel piece, overmantel cupboards, mrs brailly, box cottage ormond, box william, box elizabeth, early settlers, market gardeners, cooking utensils, kitchenware, castiron cooking pots, blacksmiths, slow cooking, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, mckinnon, highett, cheltenham, -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Magazine - The School Paper, Albert J Mullet, For Grades VII and VIII (1916), c1916
Issue no 206 of The School Paper December 1916. This School Paper was owned by, Roy Marriott, a child of one of the pioneer families of City of Moorabbin.Issued by the Education Department of Victoria, printed Albert J Mullett, Government Printer, MelbourneA 16 page magazineEDUCATION DEPARTMENT VICTORIA / SCHOOL PAPER / For Grades VII and VIII (1916); Issue no 206 Ed. Dept of Victoria education, victoria, australian history, victorian education department, marriott, moorabbin, bentleigh, school -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Magazine - The School Paper for Grades V and VI (1918) No 233 - 229 Jan 1918- Nov 1918, Albert J Mullett for Department of Education Victoria Australia……………………………………………………, The School Paper for Grades V and VI (1918), c1918
Issue no 233 - 229 of The School Paper Jan - Nov 1918, 11 Editions. This binder with copies of The School Paper was owned by Roy and Wilfred Marriott, children of one of the pioneer families of City of Moorabbin.Issued by the Education Department of Victoria, printed Albert J Mullett, Government Printer, Melbourne 1918 Issue No 223-229 of The School Paper January – November 1918 This School Paper was owned by one of the pioneer families of City of Moorabbin, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT VICTORIA / SCHOOL PAPER / For Grades V and VI (1918); Issue no 233-229 Ed. Dept of Victoria / Poetry Number Signed W Marriott education, victoria, australian history, victorian education department, marriott, moorabbin, bentleigh -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Magazine - The School Paper for grads VII and VIII (1920), c 1920
Issue no 242 - 253 of The School Paper Jan - Dec 1920, 12 Editions. This binder with copies of The School Paper was owned by W Marriott child of one of the pioneer families of City of Moorabbin,Issued by the Education Department of Victoria, printed Albert J Mullett, Government Printer, MelbourneThe School Paper For Grades VII and VIII (1920)EDUCATION DEPARTMENT VICTORIA / SCHOOL PAPER / For Grades V11 and VI11 (1920); Issue no 242 Ed. Dept of Victoria / Poetry Number education, victoria, australian history, victorian education department, marriott william, marriott geoff, market gardeners, pioneers, moorabbin shire, henry dendy special survey brighto 1841, east bentleigh state school no. 2083, wilfred marriott -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Magazine - Meteor The School Paper 1970 - 11 Editions, Albert J Mullett Government Printer for Education Dept Victoria, 1970
Issue no 807 - 828 of The School Paper Feb 1970 - Dec 1970, 11 Editions issued for Victorian State School students by Education Department of Victoria .Issued by the Education Department of Victoria, printed A. C. Brooks, Government Printer, MelbourneMagazines distributed by the Education Department of Victoria to State School Children.METEOR / The School Paper / No. 807 February 1970 to No. 817 December 1970 Education Dept of Victoria Signed Amanda Cook education, victoria, australian history, victorian education department -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Booklet - Maternity and Care of the Baby c1940, L.F Johnson Commonwealth Government Printer, 1940
Maternity and care of the baby / prepared by the Victorian Branch of the British Medical Association and issued by the Commissioner of Maternity Allowances. Printed by L. F. Johnston, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra. Early settler families in Moorabbin Shire were living under very meagre conditions with very little access to medical care. Women depended on the care of a couple of District midwives and other local women who assisted with the birth and care of mother and baby. Gradually more maternal health services became available and Health Centres were established in Bentleigh, Moorabbin, Cheltenham. Post World War 11 advances in Maternal and Child Health care greatly assisted the mothers and reduced the infant mortality rate in City of Moorabbin 28 page booklet with information on how to care for a baby c1940NOTES for MOTHERS / MATERNITY / and CARE OF THE BABY / L.F Johnson Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra / 5991 Handwritten L.Risstrom infant care, motherhood, childbirth, l. risstrom, early settlers, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, cheltenham, dr fleming joyce, dr george scantlebury, nurse watts -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Booklet - Notes for Mothers Care of the Baby, c 1914
Notes for Mothers - prepared by the Victorian Branch of the British Medical Association and Issued by the Commissioner of Maternity Allowances. By Authority Albert J. Mullett, Government Printer, Melbourne8 page booklet with instructions on how to care for a babymaternity, babies, health, children -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Badge - Centenary of Melbourne, c. 1935-35
... of Melbourne as a very British city. melbourne centenary victorian ...White metal medal issued to commemorate Melbourne’s centenary 1934-35. This medal was given out to Victorian school children; 325,600 white metal medals were struck. The medal references Portland, the location of Victoria’s first settlement. The Henty brothers, entrepreneur farmers and whalers, established the state’s first permanent European settlement in Portland in 1834. Melbourne was established the following year by a party of settlers led by John Batman. In 1934, as Melbourne planned to celebrate the centenary of European settlement, it seemed to some that there was little to celebrate. The financial strains of the depression, unemployment and the scandal of the city’s slums all undercut claims of unbridled progress. Perhaps because of such troubles, the organisers of the centenary celebrations tried doubly hard to be positive. The themes of the celebrations were conservative, reflecting the desire of some Melburnians for security in troubled times. The widely promoted image of the ‘Garden City’ and ‘Queen City of the South’ emphasised the idea of Melbourne as a very British city. White metal badgeCentenary of Melbournemelbourne centenary, victorian school children -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Badge - Anzac Day Medal, 1918
Anzac Day school children’s medal, issued in 1918 issued by the Victorian Education Department (EVD). The medal was distributed to every Victorian school child that year to commemorate Anzac Day. The Anzac forces first landed at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915. This medal was given to Australian school children 1918 to commemorate the tragic ANZAC Landing at Gallipoli in 1915One side has the image of the bust of an Australian soldier was adapted from a drawing by H. Harvey, an at assistant in the Victorian Education Department and the words HONOR TO THE A.I.F.. The reverse has a scroll which rests on olive branch, inscripted with GALLIPOLI / FRANCE / PALESTINE; above EVD ; below, ANZAC DAY 1918.anzac day, school children, victorian education dept. evd, gallipoli -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Badge - Moorabbin Football - Social Club Badge, 1909-1963
Moorabbin Football Club was formed in 1909 and was affiliated with Federal Football League (FFL) 1909-1950 and then Victorian Football Association (VFA) 1951-1963. The club won 14 premierships in that time. Their nickname was the Kangaroos. After their ground, the Moorabbin Oval, was sold to the VFL club St Kilda in 1963, Moorabbin Football Club disbanded in 1964.Moorabbin Football Club was very successful and popular club in the City of Moorabbin 1909 - 1964Circular Enamelled badge with blue outer circle and cold lettering "Moorabbin Football - Social Club". The inner circle is white with a picture of a kangaroo surrounded by wattle branches in gold.Moorabbin Football - Social Clubmoorabbin football club, social club, federal football league, victorian football association -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Badge - City of Moorabbin - 50 Years Medal, 1984-85
... of the City of Moorabbin. city of moorabbin victorian sesquincentenary ...A gold-plated medal issued by the City of Moorabbin to commemorate the quincentenary of Victoria in 1984-5. It features the City Shield incorporating vegetables, a rooster, a cow and a house, and the sesquicentenary logo. The township of Moorabbin, known as South Brighton until 1909, remained small, with the Plough and Harrow Hotel as its main building. In 1917 Sandringham borough was formed by severance from Moorabbin shire and in 1920 Mentone and Mordialloc were also severed. In the remaining Moorabbin shire the Moorabbin township was still small (1,770 persons), but the shire grew in population during the 1930s. On 10 October 1934 it was proclaimed a city. It existed as a separate municipality until 1995. When local government boundaries were changed in 1994 about half of Moorabbin city was united with Glen Eira city and about half with Kingston city. On 15 December, 1994 the City of Chelsea, parts of the Cities of Mordialloc, Moorabbin, Springvale and Oakleigh were amalgamated to create the City of Kingston by Order of the Governor in Council. On the same day Glen Eira City Council was formed from the City of Caulfield and the remaining part of the City of Moorabbin.Gold Plated Medal Side one: Within a wide rim formed by a line circle, the City Shield incorporating vegetables, a rooster, a cow and a house; around, THE MAYOR COUNCILLORS & CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF MOORABBIN; around on broad rim, 50 YEARS A CITY 1934 - 1984. Side 2: Logo of the Victorian sesquicentenary; below, VICTORIA 150 / GROWING TOGETHER 1984-5 at rim in small letters the mint name, BRIM MELBTHE MAYOR COUNCILLORS & CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF MOORABBIN; VICTORIA 150 / GROWING TOGETHER 1984-5.city of moorabbin, victorian sesquincentenary, moorabbin shire, councillors moorabbin, cheltenham, bentleigh, moorabbin, le page family, cr coates l.r, cr sheppard l.a., cr cooper j.c. -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Certificate - Independent Order of Rechabites Certificate for Helen Blackman, 1949
Certificate issued by the Independent Order of Rechabites Temperance Friendly Society to Victorian state school children who had passed the temperance physiology examination. The Independent Order of Rechabites began in Salford, England in 1835. It was named after Rechab, a leader in the Old Testament, who instructed his tribe to refrain from drinking alcohol. During the Industrial Revolution the idea of temperance became popular as damage was caused to families by alcohol. In Australia it was first established in Tasmania in the mid 1800s. In 1847 a branch was created in Victoria, and it then spread to other States. Members were provided with assistance during times of sickness, death and hardship. The Victoria District of Rechabites (District No. 82) was established in the 28th January 1861 In its heyday the Victoria Rechabites’ membership numbers grew and grew to the extent that there were at one stage in excess of 36,000 members associated with the Victorian Rechabites in the late 1800’s to early 1900’s covering approximately 250 operating Tents. The certificate was issued to Helen Marion Blackman in 1949. Helen was a resident in the City of Moorabbin.Certificate issued by the Independent Order of Rechabites Temperance Friendly Society to Victorian state school children who had passed the temperance physiology examination. Independent Order of Rechabites - Salford Unityindependent order of rechabites, blackman, city of moorabbin, school children -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Photograph - Returning Home after WWI aboard HMAT Port Sydney, Victor Cycril Smith, c 1919
Photos taken by Victor Cycril Smith on his journey home after serving overseas in World War 1. Victor embarked on the HMAT Port Sydney in England on 22 September 1919. The vessel carried 1,307 men. The first home port was Fremantle where 170 disembarked before continuing the trip stopping at Adelaide where 101 soldiers disembarked. The next port was Melbourne and arrived in Melbourne On 12 November 1919, the ship arrived in Melbourne where 340 Victorians and 35 Tasmanians disembarked. They were motored through the city by the Royal Automobile Club and were greeted in the usual hearty fashion, crowds of men, women and children congregated at various points along the way to shout and cheer and wave flags in welcome. The soldiers from New South Wales, 430 and Queensland, 515 boarded special trains to take them home.Victor Cycril Smith was the son of a pioneering family in the Shire of Moorabbin. Six black and white photographs taken on board HMAT Port Sydneywwi, hmat port sydney, soldiers, victor cycril smith, moorabbin, world war one, bentleigh -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Magazine - The School Paper for Grades III and IV (1948) No 569 to 597; Feb 1948 to Dec 1948, 11 Editions, 1948
School Papers were issued to the children going to school in the state of Victoria by the Education Department for a cost of 1 penny per issue. These copies were collected and saved by one of the pioneer families of City of Moorabbin.Issued by the Education Department of Victoria, printed J. J. Gourley, Government Printer, Melbourne The School Paper For Grades III and IV (1948)EDUCATION DEPARTMENT VICTORIA / SCHOOL PAPER / For Grades III and IV (1948)education, victoria, australian history, victorian education department, marriott william, marriott geoff, market gardeners, pioneers, moorabbin shire, henry dendy special survey brighto 1841, east bentleigh state school no. 2083 -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Magazine - The School Paper for Grades III and IV (1949) No 293 May and No 597 September, 2 editions, 1949
These School Papers were issued to the children going to school in the state of Victoria by the Education Department for a cost of 1 penny per issue. This copy was collected and saved by one of the pioneer families of City of Moorabbin.Issued by the Education Department of Victoria, printed J. J. Gourley, Government Printer, MelbourneThe School Paper For Grades III and IV (1949) 12 pagesEDUCATION DEPARTMENT VICTORIA / SCHOOL PAPER / For Grades III and IV (1949)education, victoria, australian history, victorian education department, marriott william, marriott geoff, market gardeners, pioneers, moorabbin shire, henry dendy special survey brighto 1841, east bentleigh state school no. 2083 -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Magazine - The School Paper for Grades III and IV (1950), 1949
These School Papers were issued to the children going to school in the state of Victoria by the Education Department for a cost of 1 penny per issue. This copy was collected and saved by one of the pioneer families of City of Moorabbin.Issued by the Education Department of Victoria, printed J. J. Gourley, Government Printer, MelbourneThe School Paper For Grades III and IV (1950) 12 pagesEDUCATION DEPARTMENT VICTORIA / SCHOOL PAPER / For Grades III and IV (1950)education, victoria, australian history, victorian education department, marriott william, marriott geoff, market gardeners, pioneers, moorabbin shire, henry dendy special survey brighto 1841, east bentleigh state school no. 2083 -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Magazine - The School Paper, Grades 5 and 6, No. 795 December 1968 and Grades 3 and 4, No. 809 December 1968, The last issue of The School Paper, 1968
These School Papers were issued to the children going to school in the state of Victoria by the Education Department for a cost of 1 cent per issue. These were the last edition of the School Paper to be printed. This copy was collected and saved by one of the pioneer families of City of Moorabbin.Issued by the Education Department of Victoria, printed J. J. Gourley, Government Printer, MelbourneThe School Paper For Grades 5 and 6 (1968) and For Grades 3 and 4 (1968)EDUCATION DEPARTMENT VICTORIA / SCHOOL PAPER / For Grades III and IV (1950)education, victoria, australian history, victorian education department, marriott william, marriott geoff, market gardeners, pioneers, moorabbin shire, henry dendy special survey brighto 1841, east bentleigh state school no. 2083 -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Magazine - Meteor The School Paper 1971 - 11 Editions, Albert J Mullett Government Printer for Education Dept Victoria, 1971
Issue no 807 - 828 of The School Paper Feb 1970 - 11 Editions issued for Victorian State School students by Education Department of Victoria .Issued by the Education Department of Victoria, printed A. C. Brooks, Government Printer, MelbourneMagazines distributed by the Education Department of Victoria to State School Children.METEOR / The School Paper / February 1971 to December 1971 Education Dept of Victoria Signed Amanda Cook education, victoria, australian history, victorian education department -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Book, Howcroft, Wilbur G. (Wilbur Gordon), The Clancy that overflowed, 1971
Book contains a diverse collection of outback yarns, fables anecdotes, bush ballads and observations all with a distinctly Australian predisposition. Much of the material is derived from wheat and sheep farms in the Victorian Mallee.114 p ; illBook contains a diverse collection of outback yarns, fables anecdotes, bush ballads and observations all with a distinctly Australian predisposition. Much of the material is derived from wheat and sheep farms in the Victorian Mallee.australian wit and humor, country life, australia -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Book, Charlwood, D. E. (Donald Ernest), 1915-2012, Settlers under sail, 1978 © 1991
"Settlers Under Sail is Don Charlwood's account of the days of the sailing ship and a fascinating reconstruction of the wreck of the LOCH ARD. -- back cover49 p. : ill. (some col.), facsim., 1 map, portsnon-fiction"Settlers Under Sail is Don Charlwood's account of the days of the sailing ship and a fascinating reconstruction of the wreck of the LOCH ARD. -- back covershipwrecks, cape otway, sailing ships, ocean travel, emigration, immigration -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Book, Glover, Anne, Victorian Treasures : from the La Trobe Collection State Library of Victoria, 1980
State libraries. Victoria. State Library of Victoria. Stock: La Trobe Collection. Stock: Items associated with Victoria, to 1900. Illustrations (ANB/PRECIS SIN 042496x)80 p. : ill. (some col.), map, ports. non-fictionState libraries. Victoria. State Library of Victoria. Stock: La Trobe Collection. Stock: Items associated with Victoria, to 1900. Illustrations (ANB/PRECIS SIN 042496x)la trobe collection, state library of victoria -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Book, Grant, Malcolm et al, Wheels in Victoria, 1824-1984 : a record of wheeled transport through a century and a half of technological change, 1988
a record of wheeled transport through a century and a half of technological change528 p. : chiefly ill. (some col.), facsims., ports. indexnon-fictiona record of wheeled transport through a century and a half of technological changemotor vehicles, vehicles, automobile industry and trade, history of automobiles -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Book, Bradley, Harold et al, War memorials of Victoria : a pictorial record, 1994
x, 240 p. : ill. (some col.) ; includes index. CIP confirmed. Bibliography: p. 233.non-fictionwar memorials, victoria -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Book, Syme, Marten A, Shipping arrivals and departures, Victorian ports : Volume 1, 1798-1845, 1984
"This book is dedicated to the seamen who supplied the physical link for trade and immigration in the development of the Colony".3 v. : ill., charts, map Maps on lining papers. Includes bibliography and index.non-fiction"This book is dedicated to the seamen who supplied the physical link for trade and immigration in the development of the Colony".ship register, seamen, immigration -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Book, Victorian Government, Insignia : State of Victoria, Australia
1 portfolio containing 5 folded sheets : 5 col. ill., coat of arms ; CONTENTS: State of Victoria:- Armorial Ensign -- State Flag -- Floral Emblem -- Faunal Emblem 1 ; Faunal Emblem 2.non-fictionvictorian state emblem, victorian state flag, victorian floral emblem -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Book, Victorian Bureau of Statistics, Victorian Year Book 1979, 1979
non-fictionstatistics, victoria -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Book, Victorian Bureau of Statistics, Victorian Year Book 1973 : Centenary Edition, 1979
non-fictionstatistics, victoria -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Book, Sansom, William et al, Victorian life in photographs, 1974
32 p., [80] leaves of plates : chiefly ill - 181 illustration (photographs)non-fictionphotography, english social life, 19th century, england -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Book, Victorian Government, World war one history : Victoria's story, ANZAC centenary, 2014-2018 sharing Victoria's stories & making connections, 2014
42 pages : illustrations, map, portraits non-fictionworld war one, victoria, anzac, soldiers -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, Charles Kingsley: His Letters and Memories of His Life Vol 1
This book was part of a large group of books referred to as the Pattison Collection, which belonged to the Warrnambool Public Library, part of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute. About RALPH ERIC PATTISON and the ‘PATTISON COLLECTION’ The ‘Pattison Collection’ is a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, founded in Warrnambool in 1853. By 1886 the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) had grown to have a Library, Museum and Fine Arts Gallery, with a collection of “… choice productions of art and valuable specimens in almost every branch and many wonderful national curiosities, are now to be seen there, including historic relics of the town and district.” It later included a School of Design. Although it was very well patronised, the WMI was led to ask the City Council to take it over in 1911 due to a lack of financial support. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Public Library as it was then called. Ralph Eric Pattison was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, in 1891. He married Maude Swan from Warrnambool in 1920 and they set up a home in Warrnambool. In 1935 when Pattison accepted the position as City Librarian for the Warrnambool City Council his huge challenge was to make a functional library within two rooms of the Mechanics’ Institute. He tirelessly cleaned, cleared and sorted a disarrayed collection of old books, jars of preserved specimens and other items reserved for exhibition in the city’s museum. He developed and updated the library with a wide variety of books for all tastes, including reference books for students; a difficult task to fulfil during the years following the Depression. He converted all of the lower areas of the building into a library, reference room and reading room for members and the public. The books were sorted and stored using a cataloguing and card index system that he had developed himself. He also prepared the upper floor of the building and established the Art Gallery and later the Museum, a place to exhibit the many old relics that had been stored for years for this purpose. One of the treasures he found was a beautiful ancient clock, which he repaired, restored and enjoyed using in his office during the years of his service there. Ralph Pattison was described as “a meticulous gentleman whose punctuality, floorless courtesy and distinctive neat dress were hallmarks of his character, and ‘his’ clock controlled his daily routine and his opening and closing of the library’s large heavy doors to the minute.” Pattison took leave from 1942 to 1945 to serve in the Royal Australian Navy, Volunteer Reserve as Lieutenant. A few years later he converted one of the Museum’s rooms into a Children’s Library, stocking it with suitable books for the younger generation. This was an instant success. In the 1950’s he had the honour of being appointed to the Victorian Library Board and received more inspiration from the monthly conferences in Melbourne. He was sadly retired in 1959 after over 23 years of service, due to the fact that he had gone over the working age of council officers. However, he continued to take a very keen interest in the continual development of the Library until his death in 1969. THE NEW WARRNAMBOOL LIBRARY When the WMI building was pulled down in 1963 a new civic building was erected on the site and the new Warrnambool Library, on behalf of the City Council, took over all the holdings of the WMI. At this time some of the items were separated and identified as the ‘Pattison Collection’, named after Pattison. Eventually, the components of the WMI were distributed from the Warrnambool Library to various places, including the Art Gallery, Historical Society and Flagstaff Hill. Later some were even distributed to other regional branches of Corangamite Regional Library and passed to and fro. It is difficult now to trace just where all of the items have ended up. The books at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village generally display stamps and markings from Pattison as well as a variety of other institutions including the Mechanics’ Institute itself. WARRNAMBOOL MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE Warrnambool's Mechanics' Institute (or Institution as it was sometimes called) was one of the earliest in Victoria. On 17th October 1853, a meeting was held where it was resolved to request the Lieutenant Governor of the Colony to grant land for the erection of a Mechanics' Institutes building. A committee was formed at the meeting and Richard Osburne chaired the first meeting of this committee. The land on the North West corner of Banyan and Merri Streets was granted but there were no funds to erect the building. The Formal Rights of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute's encompassed its aims and these were officially adopted in1859; "This Institution has for its object the diffusion of literary, scientific, and other useful knowledge amongst its members, excluding all controversial subjects, religious or political. These objects are sought to be obtained by means of a circulating library, a reading room, the establishment of classes, debates, and the occasional delivery of lectures on natural and experimental philosophy, mechanics, astronomy, chemistry, natural history, literature, and the useful and ornamental arts, particularly those which have a more immediate reference to the colony." The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute opened its first reading room in November 1884 in the National School building at the corner of Banyan and Timor Streets. The Institute was funded by member subscription, payable on a quarterly, half-yearly or yearly basis. Samuel Hannaford, the Manager of the Warrnambool Bank of Australasia, was the first Honorary Secretary of the Mechanics' Institutes, and an early President and Vice-President. He also gave several of the early lectures in the Reading Room. Another early Secretary, Librarian and lecturer was Marmaduke Fisher, the teacher at the National School. Lecture topics included The Poets and Poetry of Ireland', 'The Birth and Development of the Earth', 'The Vertebrae - with Remarks on the pleasures resulting from the study of Natural History' and 'Architecture'. In 1856 the Reading Room was moved to James Hider's shop in Timor Street, and by 1864 it was located in the bookshop of Davies and Read. In the 1860s the Mechanics' Institute struggled as membership waned but in 1866, after a series of fundraising efforts, the committee was able to purchase land in Liebig Street, on a site then called Market Square, between the weighbridge and the fire station. A Mechanics' Institute building was opened at this site in August 1871. The following year four more rooms were added to the main Reading Room and in 1873 the Artisan School of Design was incorporated into the Institute. The same year Joseph Archibald established a Museum; however, it deteriorated when he was transferred to Bendigo in 1877. In 1880, with Archibald's return to Warrnambool, the Museum was re-established, and in 1885 a new building was built at the back of the Institute to accommodate the re-created School of Design, the Art Gallery and the Museum. In 1887 the Museum section was moved to the former courthouse in Timor Street (for some time the walls of the building formed part of the TAFE cafeteria but all is now demolished)). In 1911 the Museum was transferred back to the original building and the management of the Mechanics' Institute was handed over to the Warrnambool City Council. The Museum and Art Gallery became one and housed many fine works of art, and the Library continued to grow. The building was well patronised, with records showing that at the beginning of the 20th century there were between 500 and 800 visitors. During World War One the monthly figures were in the thousands, with 3,400 people visiting in January 1915. The Museum was a much - loved Institution in Warrnambool until the contents of the Museum and Art Gallery were removed to make room for the Warrnambool City Council Engineers' Department. The contents were stored but many of the items were scattered or lost. When the original building was demolished the site became occupied by the Civic Centre, which included the new City Library. (The library was temporarily located in the old Palais building in Koroit Street.) In the process of reorganisation the Collection was distributed amongst the community groups: -The new City Library took some of the historical books and some important documents, historic photographs and newspapers. -The Art Gallery kept the 19th Century art collection and some of the artefacts from the museum. -The Historical Society has some items -The State Museum has some items -Some items were destroyed -Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village has old newspapers, Government Gazettes, most of the Mechanics' Institute Library, ledgers and documents connected to the Mechanics' Institute Library, some framed and unframed artworks and some photographs. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute Library book collection is deemed to be of great importance because it is one of the few collections in an almost intact state, and many of the books are now very rare and of great value. The Pattison Collection, along with other items at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, was originally part of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s collection. The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Collection is primarily significant in its totality, rather than for the individual objects it contains. Its contents are highly representative of the development of Mechanics' Institute libraries across Australia, particularly Victoria. A diversity of publications and themes has been amassed, and these provide clues to our understanding of the nature of and changes in the reading habits of Victorians from the 1850s to the middle of the 20th century. The collection also highlights the Warrnambool community’s commitment to the Mechanics’ Institute, reading, literacy and learning in the regions, and proves that access to knowledge was not impeded by distance. These items help to provide a more complete picture of our community’s ideals and aspirations. The Warrnambool Mechanics Institute book collection has historical and social significance for its strong association with the Mechanics Institute movement and the important role it played in the intellectual, cultural and social development of people throughout the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The collection of books is a rare example of an early lending library and its significance is enhanced by the survival of an original collection of many volumes. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s publication collection is of both local and state significance. Charles Kingsley: His Letters and Memories of His Life Vol 1 Author: Charles Kingsley Edited by his wife ( Frances "Fanny" Grenfell) Publisher: C Kegan Paul & Co Date: 1879 Further Information: Sixth Abridged EditionThe label on the spine cover with typed text PAT 920 KIN. Pastedown frontend paper has a sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service. Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Service. Flyleaf has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Service. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, book, pattison collection, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, ralph eric pattison, corangamite regional library service, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, charles kingsley: his letters and memories of his life vol 1, frances "fanny" grenfell, mrs kingsley